Britain and Africa Under Blair : In pursuit of the good state.

Gallagher (Univ. of London, UK) brings to bear academic, journalistic, and government-service skills and experiences in producing her first book, which is a fascinating study of Britain's Africa policy during Tony Blair's tenure as prime minister. It is not conventional diplomatic history or international relations, but a distinctively novel interpretation of how personal and state values, ideals, and interests interacted in the conduct of New Labour's foreign policy toward Africa, particularly Sierra Leone and Nigeria. Drawing on the work of both classical and contemporary philosophers, sociologists, psychologists, and others, Gallagher elaborates a theoretical foundation for the ethics of state behavior, particularly the quest for the good. In so doing, she not only affirms the important role of norms in international relations but also offers a critique of her own methodology and identifies issues that require further investigation. It sets a high standard and should inspire others to employ similarly imaginative approaches to old subjects. The book is highly recommended for academic and professional audiences concerned with foreign policy, African studies, and ethics in international affairs, and for related institutional and larger public libraries. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above. J. P. Smaldone Georgetown University